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'Don't antagonise us' – tough stance over contract talks

An inflationary rise in global sums, quality points and enhanced service prices is the 'bottom line' for next year's contract talks, GPC chair Dr Hamish Meldrum has said.

Addressing the BMA's annual representatives meeting, Dr Meldrum said there also had to be a 'no going back' promise on the minimum practice income guarantee (MPIG) and GP pensions. He said: 'I don't intend to see the hard-fought and fully deserved gains we have achieved for the profession eroded.'

Dr Meldrum warned ministers that the Government and the NHS would fail unless they listened to GPs.

He said: 'If you ignore us, marginalise us, antagonise us, you and the NHS will fail.'

General practice had a 'bright future' if doctors held fast to their principles and the ethos of a truly national health service, Dr Meldrum said.